India-Sri Lanka military exercise ‘Mitra Shakti’ begins in Belagavi

• India and Sri Lanka kick-started ‘Mitra Shakti’ exercise in Karnataka’s Belagavi on November 10.

• The scope of the 11th edition of ‘Mitra Shakti’ exercise includes synergising joint responses during counter-terrorist operations.

• The Indian contingent of 170 personnel is being represented mainly by troops from the Rajput Regiment, while the Sri Lankan side is being represented by 135 personnel from the Gajaba Regiment.

• Twenty personnel from the Indian Air Force and 10 from Sri Lankan Air Force are also participating in the exercise.

• The aim of the two-week long military exercise is to jointly rehearse conduct of Sub-Conventional Operations under Chapter VII of United Nations Mandate. 

• The scope of the exercise includes synergising joint responses during counter-terrorist operations. 

• Both sides will practice tactical actions such as raid, search and destroy missions, heliborne operations, etc.

• The exercise will also involve employment of drones and counter unmanned aerial systems besides helicopters.

Other bilateral exercise with Sri Lanka:

• SLINEX - The 12th edition of bilateral maritime exercise involving Indian Navy and Sri Lanka Navy was conducted in Colombo in August 2024.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)